What might children notice about our neighbourhoods that adults have learned to overlook?

Urban designer and planner Juan Mullerat has created a children's book about Sam, a boy who discovers his neighbourhood when the family car breaks down and he has to walk to school. Along the way, he notices a broken kerb preventing his friend who uses a wheelchair from getting through, and decides to do something about it.

In this episode of Streets and People, Juan talks about what happens when we encourage children to look closely at the places around them and recognise that they can have a voice in shaping them.

We explore why planners need to speak in language communities can understand, why listening matters as much as explaining, and why conversations about the future of a neighbourhood are valuable long before a new development arrives.

Juan also shares a lovely detail from his book: an ant is hidden in every illustration. He chose ants because they build communities by working together and helping one another.

His message for children, communities and planners is simple and hopeful: get involved. A small change can make a meaningful difference.

Check out our website for more info: s3e19-pnp-small-changes-build-better-communities-juan-mullerat

You can find out more about the book here: https://plusurbia.com/why-we-wrote-a-childrens-book-about-cities/

Buy the printed book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1WTSXKB

Download the pdf colouring-in book here: https://plusurbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PRINT-BW-From-Wood-Blocks-to-City-Blocks-R18.pdf

Here are the tags and links: Tags: @plusurbia @juan Mullerat

Find Juan here: linkedin.com/in/mullerat

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

GetAroundCaboolture.au

#BetterCommunities #UrbanPlanning #CommunityVoice#ChildFriendlyCities #CommunityEngagement #UrbanDesign #CivicEngagement #InclusiveCommunities #StreetsAndPeople #GetAroundCaboolture